Machine for sorting compressible elements



April s, 1952 L. Ml PUSTER ETAL MACHINE FOR SORTING COMPRESSIBLE ELEMENTS Filed Jan. 27, 1947 AUTOMATIC BELLowS WEIGHING MACH,

1o Sheets-*sheet 1 MOTQR CA E LE.

'- Anz supp N llave/z tors Louis M Pusi'er JO/UL A. Kaseruzalak Al'l'or/zegs April 8, 1952 L.. M. PusrER Erm. 2,591,868

MACHINE FOR SORTING COMPRESSIBLE ELEMENTS Filed Jan. 27. 194'? 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 8, 1952 l.. M. PusTER E-rAx.` 2,591,858

MACHINE FOR soRTING coMPREssIBLE ELEMENTS l Filed Jan. 27'. '1947 io sheets-sheet 4 OVER WEIG HT ACC E. PTAB LE UNDER WEIGHT Inventors Louis fiPus/@r JZDuz/AKe/WWL.

BY f a U ;A

April 8, 1952 L. M. Pus'rER ETAL 2,591,858

' MACHINE FOR soRTING coMPREssIBLE ELEMENTS Filed Jan. 27, 194'? 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventors Louis M. Pus er 7o/u2, A Raser/:cala

April 8, 1952v L. M. F UsTER ETAL MACHINE FOR SORTING COMPRESSIBLE ELEMENTS 1o sheets-sym 6 Filed Jan. 27, 1947 @E 4 W l; Q@

Inventors April 8, 1952 L. M. PUSTER ETAL v 2,591,868

MACHINE FOR soRTING coMPREssIBLE ELEMENTS Filed Jan. 27, 1947 1o sheets-sheet 'r I river-fors @mais M. Pwser JQ/UL AKaseiwzazb l y BY 4' ,mmwo m// e Q\ Q@v V N@ Q n@ u NQ w@ w Af'i'orrzeys Iamil 8, 1952 l.. M. PUSTER ETAL 2,591,868

MACHINE FOR somme coMPREssIBLE ELEMENTS Filed Jan. 27, 1947 io snveets-snelet s April 8, 1952 M. PusTl-:R ETAL 2,591,868

MACHINE Foa soRTI'N'G coMPREssIBLE ELEMENTS Filed Jan. 27, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Ai'Mrzzeys April 8, 1952 L. M. PusTER ETAL MACHINE FOR SORTING COMPRESSIBLE ELEMENTS Filed Jn. 27. 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Inventors Louis M Pws'er Joluz, A. Acuse/rumz:L l

Attorneys Patented Apr. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAonrNE Een SQRTING ooMraEssrLa ELEMENTS Louis M. Fuster andi Jolin A.y Kaserma, Knoxville, Tenn., assglnors to Robertshaw-Fulton Controls Company, a corporation of Delaware Application January 27, 1947, Serial No. 724,530

32 Claims. l

This invention relates to automatic sorting machines, and more particularly to a machine for automatically sorting compressible elements according to their varying capacity to resist compression under predetermined loads. While, as, will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from the ensuing disclosure, the present invention may be applied to machines for automatically sorting a wide variety of compressible elements, it will be exemplified herein by its application to the so-call'e'd weighing of expansible and collapsible corrugated tubular wallsor bellows, the term weighing as used in the bellows art connoting the units of weight or pressure, for example ounces, required to compress a bellows a predetermined amount from its free length, and, when applying a predetermined stroke or load to a bellows, the terms underweight and overweight being used to denote a resistance to compression or exure of the bellows which is respectively less than or more than the required minimum and maximum response of such a bellows for that load or stroke, and obviously the same terms can be applied and are herein used in measuring the compressibility of other suitable elements.V

To meet the specifications of various uses to which bellows are put, it is necessary that the magnitude of the compression of the bellowsv from free length under a predetermined load be kept closely within narrowly iiXed limits. To sort bellows, the magnitude of compressiony of which from free length under a given predetermined load falls within such predetermined limits, from those bellows whose magnitude of compression is above or below the upper or lower limits so fixed, it has heretofore been the practice to weigh the bellows on standard weighing scales provided with a hand-operated mechanism for imposing a predetermined load or stroke on the bellows. As 'the load or stroke has to be controlled closely within narrow limits andthe response of the bellows accurately determined, this method of sorting bellows is not only slow, tedious and exacting but it also introduces a factor of human error with not infrequent inclusion of bellows as satisfying certain specifications when they do not.

It is an object or this invention to provide'an automatic sorting machine which eliminates the factor of human error in determining whether or not the elements being sorted come within the upper and lower limits fixed by `deinite specications.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device. of the type characterized wherein, once the machine is set, the sorting of the'elements proceeds automatically without further dependence on an operatoras to the making or observing of measurements.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type characterized wherein the elements to be sorted are automatically separated into three groups depending upon whether their characteristics fall within the upper and lower limits lset by the speciiications, or whether they have characteristics which are respectively above or below the upper or lower limits of the specications.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type characterized which enables the elements being sorted to beseparated into their aforesaid separate classes at a relatively high speed, 'but with entire accuracy and certainty with respect to their compression response under an automatically predetermined load.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type characterized which can be operated by relatively unskilled labor whose function is solely to locate the elements to be sorted in proper relationship to the machine,

whereupon the sorting is effected automaticallyv Without further intervention by the operator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type characterized which is composed of parts that are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and service and whichis highly sensitive, accurate and eicient in performing its sorting action.

Other objects will appear as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions only one of which has been illustrated on the accompanying drawings, and therefore it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration only, and are not to be construed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

Referring in detail to the drawings wherein corresponding parts are designated by like reference characters in the several figures,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embody-v ing the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of said` machine; Y

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of certain parts of the operating mechanism of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the automatic stop mechanism for predetermining the extent of stroke of the sorting arm; i

Fig. 5 is in part an axial section of the actuatingmechanism for the sorting, arm; p

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary schematic detail of the 'operating means for the automatic stop mechanism shown in Fig. 4;

Figs. 7 and 7a are respectively elevations, partly in section, of an automatic switch mechanism and the mechanism operated thereby for locating the index pins which actuate the stop mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation of the orifice device;

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the orifice device of Figs. 8 and 9;

Figs. 1l and 12 are sectional elevational views of the mechanism for effecting the weighing stroke before and after said stroke has been made;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view to illustrate the relationship of the solenoid mechanism to the index pins and the lever actuated thereby;

Fig.'14L is an enlarged perspective elevation of the mechanism for effecting the weighing stroke;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view to illustrate the relationshipof the sorting arm to the outfeed mechanism for conveying the sorted elements from the machine; and

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view of the mechanism carried by the sorting arm for gripping the elements to be sorted.

summarized generally, a machine embodying the present invention includes an indexing device on which the elements to be sorted, as bellows, are to be disposed, said indexing device being intermittently driven to advance the eiements on said tables into and out of a weighing position wherein the compressibility of said elements from their free length under a predetermined load is determined by fluid operated devices that, in response to the variable opposition toV compression offered by the elements being measured, effect the displacement of index pins associated with the respective elements, whereby said index pins, when said indexing mechanism advances the weighed elements into a sorting position, set automatic stop mechanism so that an automatically operated sorting arm for removing said elements moves to positions determined by said automatic stop mechanism wherein said elements are deposited on appropriate outfeed conveyors for separating said elements according to the characteristics determined by the weighing mechanism. Thereby, without intervention of the operator, the characteristics of the elements are automatically determined and said elements are sorted accordingy to whether such characteristics fall between specified upper and lower limits, or are above the upper limit or below the lower limit.

In the form shown, the indexing device takes the form of a rotatable turntable II) carried by a suitable spindle II supported in any suitable way in framework carried by the base i2 of a suitable housing I3 for containing the driving mechanism of the machine to be described. Carried by or attached to the underside of said table I0, and concentrically arranged therewith, is a disk I6 (a fragment of which is shown schematically in Fig. 3) provided with upstanding pins I1 whose number corresponds to the number of weighing disks hereinafter described. Disk I6 with its pins I1 constitutes the driven element of a Geneva mechanism of any suitable character, Lthe driving disk I8 of which, with its slot I9, is shown schematically in Fig. 3. Disk I8 is mounted `on a suitable stub shaft 2i) supported 4 in any appropriate way by the framework. Shaft 20 is shown as provided with a beveled gear 22 with which meshes a beveled pinion 23 carried by a shaft 24 extending from a speed reducing mechanism 25 of any suitable character and construction, the details of said speed reducing mechanism being omitted in the interest of clearness. Speed reducing mechanism 25 is driven in any suitable way, as by a pulley 25 mounted on the driving shaft 21 of said speed reducing mechanism, pulley 26 in turn being shown as driven by a belt 28 from an electric motor 29 of any suitable form carried by the base I2, the circuit of said motor including a switch Si! (see Figs. -1 and 2) conveniently located on the top member 3| of the housing i3. Any other suitable driving mechanism for the indexing device may be used if preferred.

Table I9 carries any suitable number', here shown as six, weighing disks 35. As shown more particularly in Figs. 11 and 12, each of said disks 35 is provided with a downwardly extending hub 35 loosely received in an aperture 31 provided in the table I0, and each of said disks preferably has its upper face provided with a plurality of concentric Igrooves 38 of such diameter that they are appropriate to receive and center bellows 39 of different diameters. When each disk 35, under the intermittent rotation of the table I0 by its aforesaid Geneva driving mechanism, arrives at that station which is herein designated the Weighing station, its hub 3B, which is provided with a conically shaped recess 4I), is brought into alignment with the conically shaped upper end 4I of an arbor 42 carried by a slide 43 (see Fig. 14) that may move upwardly and downwardly in suitable ways 44 provided in the framework of the machine. Slide 43 is provided with rollers 45 between which is disposed a cam 45 mounted on a shaft d1 which may be driven in any suitable way from the motor 29 but here shown (see Fig. 3) as provided with a beveled gear 4B that is in mesh with a beveled pinion i9 on a second shaft 50 extending from the speed reducing mechanism 25. Therefore, under the action of said cam 45 the arbor 42 is elevated from the position shown in Fig. 1l to the position shown in Fig. 12 picking up the weighing disk 35 in alignment therewith and moving the bellows 39 on said disk into cooperative relationship with the Weighing stroke mechanism or so called weighing head to be described.

Referring again to Figs. 11 and l2, each weighing disk 35 when it reaches the weighing station is aligned with a weighing head shown as composed of a rectangular frame having side members 55 and 56 and upper and lower end members 51 and 58 attached to said side members in any suitable way. Slidably mounted on said side members E55 and 515 intermediate of the length thereof is a transverse member 59 normally held against stop members 60, suitably attached to said members 55 and 56, by coil springs '6I shown as surrounding said side members and reacting between the end member 58 and said intermediate member 59. Intermediate member 59.

however, may yield downwardly as viewed in Figs. II and l2, against the tension of the springs 6I, as hereinafter described. Mounted on said intermediate member 59 is a tubular member 62 constituting a housing for the collet mechanism next to be described. Tubular member 62 has a flanged extremity 63 whereby it may be locked in position on the intermediate member 59 by a lock nut 6B received on the exteriorly threaded surface of saidv tbular member 62. Member 62 hastherein upper and `lower chambers 'Stand 6'5 sepa-rated by an apertured wall portion or partition 61. ,Slidably mounted .in the chamber 66 Ais a `-tubularcollet element 68 klwhose lower beveled :extremity 69 cooperates with the gripping elements of the collet mechanism. Slidably mounted in the control aperture of said gripping lelements is a spindle 1| having at its upper extremity `a head 'lf2 of such size as rto prevent'the 'spindle 1| from falling below that position in which the head 1-2 `engages the inner extremity -of the Vgrippingelements 1t. At its opposite 'ex- `tremity spindle 1| has suspended therefrom, lpref-- erably by a ball and socket joint at`13,a disk 14 adapted tobe engaged by the upper end of a bellows '39 when lifted by :arbor 42 from the position shown in Fig. 11 to the position shown in Fig. v112. The elements of the collet mechanism are 'secured in position by a tubular nut 15 having an aperture'1'5 through which the spindle I'11| slidably-extends.

Tubularelement @o8 of the collet mechanism is 'attached in any suitable way, as by a thread- Fed connection, lto a rod 11 projecting through the `aperture in the wall 61 and in turn attached in "any Vsuitable Iway at its upper end to :9, pistonl carrying 4a cup washer 19 and clamping memzber 4v8l). As shown, rod 11 has an enlargement 8| against "which the piston is locked by a nut 92 and between said enlargement and the wall l|51 reacts a coil spring `82 that normally urges the piston 1'8 upwardly as-viewed in Figs. 11 and 12.

` `Pis`ton `18 is mounted in a cylinder 83 of any suitable construction, here shown as in the form of a cup carried by `a threaded stud 84 :which extends through :an'aperture in the upper element 151 oi the framework and is secured thereto by means of a nut '35. Stud Se is provided with a passage v86 therethrough in communication with the interior of the cylinder 83, and it has an interiorly threaded socket 81 which receives a suitable connector 88 for a fluid-pressure line 89 hereinafter referred to.

'Tubular member 62 is also provided with adjustable stop mechanism for cooperation with the lower member 58 of the framework. As here shown, a disk 99 is threadedly mounted on the threaded exterior surface of said member 62, and a second locking disk 9| is similarly mounted for cooperation withthe disk 90 to lock the latter 'in its adjusted position. The distance between the under face of the disk 90 and the upper face of the end frame member 458 predetermines the weighing stroke of the weighing head, and `by `suitably adjusting disk 99 with respect to end member `58 the magnitude of this stroke can be nicely and exactly predetermined.

When a weighing disk 35 is elevated by arbor 4-2 a-t the weighing station the upper end of the lbellows 39 engages the disk 14 and slides the 'spindle 1| upwardly into the collet mechanism as y vshown in Fig. 12. Owing to the ball and socket 'joint -13 the disk 1li is universally mounted so as to make v'iiat true contact with the 'end of the Vbellows 39. The extent to which the spindle 1| is slid inwardly with respect to the collet 'mechanism will vary from bellows to bellows dependingupon the free 4length thereof, and therebyfthe weighing stroke and the measurement made as a .result thereof is independent of such variations as 'may exist in the free length of the bellows being-measured.

When lthe -b'ellowslhas reached 'its uppermost position as 'shownfin Fig. 12,.f1ui'dipressure, preferably compressed air of predetermined pressure, is admitted through the line `89, connector 83 and passage 96 -to theinterior of the cylinder '83, causing piston 18 to ymove downwardly against the ltension of the spring B2.. The iirst downward movement of `the rod 11 under the action of piston 158 causes collet member 68 to slide down-v wardly and actuate the gripping elements 1e so as vtoflock the lspindle 1| in the position to which it .has vbeen raised by the bellows 3Q. Thereafter, .further .downward rmovement of the piston 18 is transmittedto the intermediate member 59 which slides .downwardly on the side members =55 and 56 .against the tension of the springs 6| until stop disk engages the lower member 158 of the framework. Thereby a compression stroke, predetermined bythe distance between the underfaee .of the locking disk '99 and the upper face'of 'the member 58, is imparted to disk 14 and therefrom -to the bellows 3 9. The resistance which the bellows 39 opposes this compression stroke of predetermined magnitude is a measure of the com'pressibility of the particular bellows, and this resistance, .in turn, is utilized to determine whether the particular bellows being measured -falls Lwithin the category wherein its compressibilityfrom free vlength under the predetermined load is `between specified upper and lower limits, or whether the bellows falls into one o1' the other of the two categories vwherein the compressibility under these 'conditions exceeds the upper limit or is less than the'lower limit specified. a

The weighing head as so far described is pivotallymounted at its upper and lower extremities on a pair of levers which are so constructed and arranged as to constitute a parallel linkage mechanism whereby the weighing head is always retainedin a vertical position in alignment with the bellows on the weighing disk at the weighing station. The upper lever of this linkage mechanism constitutes a counterweight system for balancing 'the `weight of the weighing head and the scale mechanism associated therewith, and the lowerlever of this mecha'hism constitutes the actuator of yaiscale system as will now be made to appear. Referring particularly to Fig. 14, the upperineniber 51 of the framework of the weighing headis .provided at its opposite extremities (see'al'soFigs. l1 'and 12) with spindles 93, preferably received in antifriction bearings 94, carriedbyLthebiturcated extremities and 95 of a lever 1.00 pivoted at 91, preferably by means of antifriction bearings, on a tubular member 98 carried'by a column 99 which may be supported in any .suitable way from the housing I3. The .bifurcated extremities 95 and 96 are brought togetherand suitably united beyond the tubular member98 and there provided with one or more suitable counterweights and |02 adjustably mounted .thereon and secured in position in any suitable way, one .of lsaid weights as |92 preferably being provided with a Vernier adjustment so that `the counterbalancing weights may be vnicely adjusted to exactly balance the weight of the weighing head and the scale mechanism actuated thereby.

The 4opposite extremities of the lower member 58 of `the weighing head are similarly provided with oppositelyextending spindles li, preferably `received 1in `antifriction bearings loll, carried by the bifurcated extremities W5 and |06 of a scale lever |09 'pi-voted at |131, preferably `by means of antifriction bearings, on said tubular member 98, said bifurcated extremities |95 and |96 being "brouglittogether'and suitably united beyond the tubular member 98 to provide the scale lever |99. The opposite end of scale lever |99 has pivoted thereto, preferably by an antifriction bearing at IIB, a link I|| which in turn is, pivotally connected at |2, preferably by an antifriction bearing, to a second scale lever ||3 pivoted at ||4, preferably by an antifriction bearing, on the depending extremity of a bracket arm ||6 eX- tending from the tubular member 98. The opposite or inner extremity of scale lever ||3 has pivotally attached thereto the rod ||4 of a dash pot mechanism H5' which operates to dampen the movement of the inner extremity of scale lever ||3 so as to prevent hunting movements thereof. Adjacent the inner end of said scale lever I|3 is an anvil member ||1 adjustably mounted thereon but suitably fixed thereto, as by set screws |43, for cooperation with the orifice device hereinafter described. The dash pot mechanism |I5 may be vmounted on a suitable bracket extending from the tubular member 98 and said bracket is also shown as provided with an adjustable stop screw I8 to predetermine the extent of movement of the lever ||3 in a clockwise direction around its pivot H4. Scale lever |99 is also shown as provided with a weight pan I I9 suspended by rod |29, so that by placing predetermined weights on the pan |y|9 the weighing mechanism may be exactly adjusted as hereinafter referred to.

Tubular member 98 is slidably mounted on the column 99 so that the weighing head with its counterweight and scale levers, with the orice device and associated parts to be described, can be moved up and down on said column 99 to adjust the weighing head for cooperation with bellows ci different lengths. To this end, a rotatable screw |2| is mounted on the housing |3 parallel and closely adjacent to the column 99 and cooperates with aV nut carried by said tubular member 98. The upper end of the screw |2| is provided with a manually operable member |22 whereby when rotated in the appropriate direction the tubular member 98 may be caised to slide upwardly or downwardly on the column 99, after which the tubular member may be locked against displacement on the column 99 by any suitable device.

Mounted on the bracket arm I6 in alignment with'the anvil member I I1 is an orice device |25 indicated generally in Fig. 1, and shown in detail in Figs. 8 to 10, said orifice device being adjustably located on said bracket arm but fixed thereto in any suitable way, as by set screw |23. Orifice device |25, as shown more particularly in Fig. 9, comprises a body member |21 recessed intericrly to provide a chamber |28 and a second chamber |29, here shown as of larger cross section than chamber |28, said two Chambers being separated by a partition |30 having an interiorly threaded aperture therethrough. Mounted in said last named aperture is a member |3| having a passage |32 therethrough terminating in a small orifice' |33, said member |3| taking the form of a screw which may be seated against the partition |39 with interposed packing |34. The ends of the chambers |28 and |29 opposite from the partition |39 may be closed in any suitable way as by screws |35 and |36 threaded into the ends of said recesses with interposed packing at |31; A threaded aperture |38 leads from the exterior of the body member |21 to the chamber |28, and threadedly mounted in said aperture |38 is an orifice member |39 having a passage |48 extending therethrough and leading to an external opening |4I which is opposed to the upper face |42 of the anvil member |43. Communicating with the chamber |29 is a line |44 for conveying fluid under pressure thereto, preferably compressed air of predetermined pressure, while from chamber |28 a pair of back pressure lines |45 and |46 lead therefrom for purposes to be explained.

Fluid under pressure entering the chamber |29 by way of the line |44 may flow through the ori'-- ce |33 to the chamber |28 wherein, by prede= termining the size of the orifice |33, the pressure can be closely predetermined. From chamber |28 the fluid under pressure escapes through passage Y|40 and orice |4I, the drop in pressure in chamber |2tI because of the escape of ud through orifice I4I depending upon the spacing of the surface |42 of anvil member ||1 from said orifice I4I. Y

The before-referred to resistance to compression of the bellows 39, when the weighing head applies the weighing stroke thereto as heretofore described in conjunction with Figs. l1 and 12, is productive of a small movement of the scale lever |99 around its axis |01, the magnitude of this movement being very slight, on the order of .0002 inch for maximum stroke. Obviously the magnitude of this movement is exactly proportional to the resistance to compression offered by the bellows being weighed. The movement of the scale lever |99 is magniiied by the scale lever ||3-, and as each of said levers |09, ||3 moves anticlockwise with respect to their axes, the anvil member ||1 is thereby approached toward the orice |4| by an amount which is exactly commensurate with the resistance to compression of the bellows 39, this movement being rendered dead beat by reason of the dash pot ||4, ||5. Approach of the anvil surface |42 toward the orifice |4| accordingly diminishes the escape of fluid from the chamber |28 proportionally to the resistance to compression of the bellows 39 whereby the back pressure developed in chamber |28 is exactly in proportion to such resistance to compression.

The back pressure so developed in chamber |28 is utilized for two purposes. Also mounted on the bracket arm HS and adjustable with respect thereto but fixed to the bracket arm in any suitable way as by one or more set screws |50 is a bracket member |5| to which is secured the stationary end wall of a small expansible and collapsible chamber or bellows |52 having its movable end wall provided with a contact member |53 which is in contact with the upper face of the scale lever IIS at a point intermediate the axis I I4 and the location of the anvil member I I1, preferably relatively adjacent to the axis ||4. Back pressure line |45 leading from chamber |28 is in communication, in any suitable way, with the interior of the bellows |52, so that the back pressure developed in chamber |23 is applied through the expansible and collapsible chamber |52 to the scale lever ||3 at a leverage With respect to the axis I I4 which' is less than the leverage of the anvil member I1. Thereby variations in the back pressure in the chamber |28 are applied as a counterpoise through the expansble and collapsible chamber |52 to the scale lever I3, but at a smaller leverage than exists for the anvil member H1, whereby movements of the anvil member I1 in the manner hereinabove described are in part compensated by the counterpoisc action of the chamber |52 to control accurately and certainly the movement of the anvil member with respect to its opposed orifice and therefore the development of variable back pressures in the Chamber |28. This co-unt crpcse mechanism, which is adjustable Yto vary `the ratio of the lever .arms about axis I is of member |53 and anvil member 1 enables close adjustment of the sensitivity of response d ue to back ypressure developed in chamber |28.

The other vback pressure line |45 leadingl from the chamber |28 extends lto two pressure responsive devices for actuating switches as next to be described. Referring first to Fig. '1 which shows one of the two pressure actuated switch devices, :the back pressure line |45 is attached many suitable way to a connector |55 threadedly received in a hollow stud .|58 suitably mounted on a cup shaped housing |51, said connector having a passage |58 therethrough leading to the chamber |59 interiorly of said housing. chamber |59 and hermetically sealed at its relatively stationary end to the end of said housing `is an expansible and collapsible corrugated tubular member or bellows |80 having a movable end wall to which .is attached in any suitable way .a Apost |02 leading .to the exterior of the housing |51. `Variations in back pressure transmitted through the line |135 to the chamber |58 will therefore cause said chamber to vary in volume, increases of pressure causing relative collapse of .the bellows |00 and movement of the post |62 to .the rightas viewed in Fig. '.1.

Housing .|51 is secured in any suitable way, as Aby screws |83 to .a bracket |64, and pivotally mounted on said bracket at |85, preferably by means of an antiiriction bearing, is a lever |68 in the path .of `movement of the post |02. -erating with lever |58 is the actuating member fli'l or .a supersensitive switch |68 whose details are not here illustrated as they constitute no par-t of the present invention, various forms of such supersensitive switches being readily availvable on the market. An increase of back pressure `in the chamber .|59 will therefore move the post |82 tothe right as viewed in Fig. 7, causing the lever :|55 to move .around its axis |65 and press actuator |01 inwardly to close the switch |68. Associated with the switch |68 is a manually operable adjusting` member |89 having a knob |95 whereby the switch may be predeterminately set yto close vonly upon ya given movement of the post |62 and therefore a predetermined increase in the back pressure in chamber |59, or only when the pressure in the chamber v|59 is capable of overcoming-a predetermined resistance to movement at the switch as fixed-by the adjustment of membei' |89. As before noted, the back Apressure line |45 AcornrnuniCates with two such pressure chamfbers |58 associated -with two supersensitlve switches |88, and as will be clear from the ensuing description said two switches may be so adjusted ythat upon existence of a predetermined pressure Iin one chamber |59 its corresponding switch is vactuated. but the `pressure in the other chamber '|59 is-insufcient to actuate its associated switch, whereas if Vthe back pressure transmitted by the line i i5 is predeterminatelylarger, not only is the Afirst referred .to chamber |59 keiective to actuate its switch |58, but vthe greater pressure in the other chamber |59 reffects the actuation of its associated switch .for a purpose to be eX- Vplained.

' Associated with each of the supersensitive switches referred to is a solenoid device one of vwhich is .more particularly shown .in Fig. 7a. As here shown,.a.so1enoid |19 of .any suitable form .andconstruction is suitablymounted on a brack- Mounted in said A et ,ITI .beneath an aperture .|12 in the appar `member 3| .of thehousing i3. .lvotallvmourlted `at |13 on a bracket |14 is a Ybell Orank leverbaring one of its arms |15 disposed in cooperative relationship with the armature or plunger III-6 of the solenoid. The opposite arm `|11 o f the bell crank lever is adapted to actuate an index pin as hereinafter explained. Currentfrorn any suitable source, as by use of a detachable plug L80, is led, as vby lead 8| to a terminal of eachswitch |98, the other lead |82 from each switch ieading to a terminal |83 of the corresponding solenoid. The other terminal of the solenoid Vis connected through lead |84 to a synchronizing switch |85 having anoperating plunger |88 which spring pressed outwardly so as to coopera-te with a ,cam surface |81 provided in ,any suitable Waylon ,the arbor 42. rEhe other lead |88 fromthesynohronizing switch is connected to the return lead |89 of the vplus |88. When the arbor 42 yis sin its lower position as shownin Fig. 1 1 synchronizing switch |85 is held open, but when arbor 4 2 is raised to lift the weighing disk 3 5 as shown Fig. 12 the cam surf/ace |81 on the .arbor .eiects the closure of the synchronizing switch |185 so as to close the circuit through the switches M8 and the solenoids |10. In order that only -one synchronizing switch need be ilsed tfOr the two switches and two solenoids, one lead from the synchronizing switch Vis common --to the ;tw o circuits connecting the swithcs and solenoids.

In order that a signal mayappear 4 when the circuit is closed :through a switch and rits solenoid, leads '|90 and 9| are connected in series with leads- |88 and |89-, `one for earth circuit through switch and solenoid, andrunqto ysuitable ,signal lamp sockets |92 whosebulbs ,|193 may Spe disposed as a part `of a control unit hereinaiter described, in association with windows |94 `on the panel of said unit adjacent the respective adjusting members .1|95,so t hat; avisua1-1ld ia tion kmay be vgiven 4when the circuit througheach switch and its associated `solenoid :is closed, --these signal lamps being 1individual to Vthe itwo switch and solenoid circuits .s o that 'the operator by visual observation ,may know when :the :pressure in therespective chambers |59 is suchasftoeiect the actuation of Athe respective switches and thereby close the circuit-through'thecorresponding solenoids.

Associated with each of the weighing .disks 35 and mounted on .a Asuitable bracket ;|i99 .depending from the table |0-is apair ofaXially slidable index pins i|z96 and |91. 'When `each .weighing disk reaches the weighing station the index pins |98 and 91 `are aligned with .thezbell crank .arms |11 of the 4two bell crank levers whose other arms |15 are associated with .thearmatures -orffplungers |16 of the solenoids |10, .as shown .morezparticularly in Fig. 13. If the back'pressure in fthe chambers |59 is vinsuicient tto :actuate .either .of the switches |558, .neither solenoid 1li-1.0 lis actuated. and therefore neither stop .pin |96, |91 is..moved. If the back pressure in thechambers 1| 59 is suicient to actuate oneof the switches but .notboth of them, one `of the solenoids |110iis factua'tedto thrust Vits associated stop pin `|96 radially outwardly for a `purpose 'to 'be explained. If `the back pressure `in .chambers |59 is Vsufficient 4to actuate both switches, 'both solenoids "are actuated to thrust .both stop :pin-s |98 and ;|9i1 .outwardly for `the purpose ,tozbe explained.

A bellows having been .weighed .at rthe k.weighing station and Ehaving Aeffected ,theysettingfof the index pins and 18:1, land Lthe arbor 912 `,thereafter having been llowered to restore the weighing disk 35 to its position on the table l0, the

Geneva driving mechanism operates to advance Athe table I by that fraction of a revolution corresponding to the number of disks 35, to move the disk carrying the bellows which has just been weighed to its next or sorting station. As the-table I0 moves into the sorting station the -setting of the index pins determines the position of automatic stop mechanism now to be described.

Projecting through a slot 200 in the top member 3| of the housing I3 is a lever 202 whose upper end 20| is inthe path of the pins |96 and `|91 if they have been thrust forwardly by the bell crank arms |11, but which is so located that the ends of the pins |96 and |91 may pass thereby without actuating said lever if neither of the' pins has been thrust forwardly by the bell crank s arms |11. Lever 202 is pivotally mounted on Ythe frame at 203 in any suitable way-see Fig. 6 `wherein said lever is viewed in the opposite direction from that in which it is seen in Fig. 13 and wherein the lever is illustrated diagrammatically. Referring to Fig. 3, the inner end 204 of said lever 2,02 has pivotally attached thereto at 205 a 'link 206 whose opposite end is pivotally attached at 201 to a second lever 208 pivotally mounted on the frame of the machine at 209. The opposite end of lever 208 is pivotally attached at 2I0 to a link 2| I whose opposite end is pivotally attached at 2|2 to a lever 2|3 pivotally mounted on the coverof the stop mechanism at 2|4.I Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the opposite end 2|5 of lever 2|3 is pivotally connected at 2|6 to a sliding stop member 2|1 which may move rectilinearly in a slot 2|8 provided between ways 2I9. Sliding member 2|1 has its inner end beveled as shown at 220, and the extremity 22| of member 2|1 is normally held against a fixed stop piece 222 by a tension spring 223 secured to lever 2I3 at 224 and having its opposite end secured at 225 to the cover of the stop mechanism. Interposed between the xed stop member 222 and a parallel guide member 233 are a pair of movable stop members 226 and 221 which are normally urged toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, by coil springs 228 and 229, respectively, that react between said stop members and a fixed part 230 of the stop mechanism.

Spring 223 normally holds the lever 2 I3 in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4, and through the intermediate links and levers above described the lever 202 is held in its full line position shown in Fig. 6. If neither of the index pins |96 and |91 is thrust forwardly by the `bell crank arms |11 the outer ends of said index pins may pass the upwardly projecting end of lever 202 Without actuating the same. This is the position of the parts which corresponds with a bellows which is underweight, i. e., one whose resistance to cornpression is insufficient to actuate either of the switches |69 with their associated solenoids |10 as above referred to.

Assuming that the table I0 is rotating in the direction of the arrow 23| in Fig. 13, it will be perceived thaty if the back pressure acting in the chambers |59 is sufcient to actuate one of the switches |68 but not the other, this means that the weight of the bellows being measured is bepin |91 is left in its relatively withdrawn position. As index pin |96 is now extended outwardly through the bracket |99 it will engage the up,- wardly projecting end 20| of lever 202 near the end of the movement of the table l0 which brings the weighed bellows into the sorting station, moving lever 202 to the intermediate position 232 shown in Fig. 6 whereby the lever 2 I 3, against the tension of the spring 223, moves the sliding stop member 2I1 upwardly to its intermediate position as viewed in Fig. 4, and as the end of sliding member 2|1 now frees the end of movable stop member 226, the latter is moved to the left by its spring 228, as viewed in Fig. 4, so that the end 22| of sliding member 2 I1 is held by spring 223 against the stop member 226. If the bellows which was measured is overweight the back pressure developed in the two chambers |59 will be suicient to actuate both switches |68 and therefore both solenoids |10 whereby both pins |96 and |91 are thrust forwardly to their projecting position. Now as the table I0 moves the measured bellows into the sorting station pin |91 will engage the upwardly projecting end 20| of lever 202 and throw the latter to its extreme position 233 as viewed in Fig. 6, and consequently said lever 202, through the connecting levers and linkage, moves lever 213 against the tension of spring 223 to adjust the sliding member 2 l1 to its uppermost position as shown in Fig. 4. As sliding member 2 |1 now frees the ends of both stop members 226 and 221, both of said stop members are moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 4 by their springs 228 and 229 whereby sliding member 2|1 is held by spring 223 against the stop member 221. The stop members 226 or 226 and 221 are held in displaced position to control the extent to which the sorting arm can be moved, as hereinafter explained, as long as table I0 is held in its indexed position, but when on the next indexing movement of the table i0 the indexing pins move past the projecting end 20| of lever 202, spring 223 is free to restore the sliding member 2 I1 to its lowermost position as shown in Fig. 4, and the beveled face 220 on the end of said member 2I1 will, as a result of this movement, cam the stop members 226 and 221 back to their relative positions as shown in Fig. 4, whereby the stop mechanism is reconditioned for actuation by the index pins associated with the next weighing disk when it moves into the sorting station. The index pins |96 and |91 are restored to their innermost position ready for reactuation by the bell crank arms |11 by means of a cam 235 mounted in any suitable way on an arcuate member 236 which surrounds a portion of the periphery cf the table I0. l

When a weighing disk 35 moves into the sorting station the bellows thereon is operatively associated with a sorting arm whoseY function is to pick up the bellows on said disk and move it laterally into cooperative relationship with one of a plurality of conveyors depending upon whether the bellows as weighed has been found to be acceptable or overweight or underweight. Referring now to Figs. 3 and 5, the sorting arm comprises a radially extending arm 240 secured in any suitable way to the upper end of a rotatably and slidably mounted tubular post 22| which is guided in4 its movements by a collar 242, which may be carried 'by the top member 3| of the housing I3, and by an aperture in a bracket member 243 projecting from the framework. The lower end of .assises Y@1s saidtubular post is closed by a tubular nut y24:1 which also constitutes a stop member as will hereafter appear. Slidably mounted in the `interior of said tubular post 24| .is a plunger-like i member .245 having an exteriorly projecting pin 245 which extends through an aperture 241 in nut 244, pin 245 being o f smaller `diameter than plunger '245 so as to provide a stop shoulder at 248. vAlso slidably mounted interiorly of said 4tubularpost 24| is a second plunger or collar 249 between which and the plunger 245 is interposed ya coil `spring 259. A rod 25| projecting upwardly from collar or plunger .249 is pivotally connected at 252 to a bell crank lever 253 disposed in a. slot in said .post and pivoted at 254 on a bracket 255 projecting downwardly from the arm 240. Theopposite arm255 of said bell cranklever is pivotally connected at 251 to a rod258 mounted forslidable .movement lengthwiseof the arm 249 in `an apertured bracket259. Interposed between said bracketanda collar 259 on the rod 258 is a coilspring 25| which normally urges the rod and the parts connected therewith toward the left as viewed in Fig. 5.

The :opposite or inwardly disposed end of rod 258 is pivotally connected at 253 (see Fig. 16) to a pair of links 254 and V255 which .in turn are pivotally .connected at 259 and 25.1 .to a pair of rgripping ilevers 259 and i299 that are .pivotally lmounted .on the end of .the `arm 240 at v21|) and 21|. Slidably .and adjustably 4mounted oneach of said gripping levers Sis agripping member212,

.said latter 4members being slidable along the levers "268 and 259, but suitably lheld 'xedly in vadjusted position las by thumb screws 213, so

that :said members 4may 'be variously spaced'for lcooperation with bellows o'f .diiferent diameters.

lAs show-neach-of said'gripp'ing-members is provided -with va reentrant portion '214 providing a socket twhich is preferably lined `with :some Ysoft Vmaterial such-as felt 2115, so-thatlwhenthe gripping 'members lare 'brought into their gripping position 'as shown in dottedlines -inF-ig. A16, although .they will-firmly grip a bellows ona weighing disk 35 at the sorting station, there will be no danger -of the thin-delicate walls-.of the bel- 4lows being injured by .the gripping contact of said members therewith.

4Referring to AFig. "3, the outwardly projecting pin .245 is associated vwith the'end 21l1-of a crank arm 213 -rmountedV-on a `rod 219' rotatably supported inbrac'kets 2&9. `rThe opposite end of rod 219 has a crank arm 253| extending therefrom iand `provided with a cam Jfollower282 which co- :cperates with a cam vdisk 293 1nounted on the shaft 41 'hereinbefore referred Ito, said cam disk 283 vhaving suitable dwells to .effect the movements next -to be described.

'When .a `bellows reaches the lsorting station, cam 283 depresse-s crank `arm 128| to elevate crank arm 52:18, thereby thrusting pin 249 inwardly :until the end .2:11 of arm 219 engages the outerace :of @the 'tubular stop nut .244. During thismovement plunger245 is .raisedas viewed in 'end 2110i crankarm 219 in an upward `direction as viewed -in Fig. 3 causes the tubular spost 24| to 'slide `upwardly through guides .242 and :2.43,

lifting the arm 249 so as to elevate the bellows to be moved into the sorting station.

tra

Fixedly mounted on the exterior of the tubular post Zell is a collar 235 provided with a slotted arm` 236. Reacting between said collar 285 and the underside of the collar 252 is a coil spring 281 disposed exteriorly of and around the hollow post 245, said spring normally urging the tubular post downwardly to retain contact with the crank arm 211 until the post is returned to its lower position where is stopped by engagement of arms 295 with the parts next to be described. Referring to Fig. 3, the slot 258 in said arm 295 receives an upwardly projecting pin 259 carried by a slidable member or block 299 guided in its rectilinear movements in any suitable way as by ways 29| provided by the framework. Also slidably mounted in said ways 2l| is a second block 292 which may slide with respect to the block 299 on a pin 295 surrounding which is a coil spring 294 that reacts between the blocks 299 and 292.

Thereby the movement of the block 292 is trans- Y Vprovided with a cam follower 295 which cooperates with a cam 295 here shown as mounted on the stub shaft 2li of the Geneva disk I8, cam follower 295 being urged toward cam 296 by a spring 298 reacting between a pin 299- on block 292 and a pin 239 on a stationary part of the framework. The underside of block 299 is provided with a lug 291 adapted to engage 4the xed stop 222 or the stop members 225 or 221 is thrust to the left as viewed in Fig. 4 as hereinabove explained.

When the cam actuated mechanism heretofore described has been operated to grip a bellows at the sorting station and lift the same free of its weighing disk 35, cam 295 operates cam follower `295 to move block 292 in an outward direction as viewed in Fig. 3. Block 292 through spring 294 moves block 299 with its depending .lug 291 until the latter engages one of the stops 222, 225 or 221, after which if .the cam follower continues to press block 292 outwardly, the spring 294 can be compressed without injury to the parts. The described movement of block 299 through pin 289, due to its coaction with the slot 28a in arm 285, causes the collar 285 and the hollow post 24| to rotate around the axis of the hollow 4post 24|, the extent of said rotation being predetermined by the engagement of lug 291 with one or another of the stops 222, 225 or 221. After the bellows is deposited, continued rotation of the cam 296 causes reverse rotation of the arm 24) 'and hollow post 24| to restore the arm to its Said conveyors may "e driven in any suitable-way yas by sprocket and chain mechanism 'from .the

driving mechanism of the machine, the. driving sprocket thereof being diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 3 at 395. Conveyor 363 is so disposed that if both stop members 229 and 221 are in operative position the sorting arm is stopped over conveyor 399 so as to receive a bellows when deposited by said arm. Conveyor 304 is so disposed that if stop member 226 is in operative position said sorting arm 249 is stopped over said conveyor to receive a bellows when deposited therefrom. Conveyor 395 -is so disposed that when neither stop members 226 nor 221 is in position, so that the lug 291 may move until it engages the fixed stop 222, said conveyor is in position to receive a bellows when deposited by said arm 229. Thereby, depending upon whether the bellows as measured has been found to be overweight, acceptable or underweight, it is deposited on one of the three conveyors.

Said conveyors are driven continuously to move the bellows deposited thereon out of the machine into accumulatore 392, 368 and 399 respectively (see Fig. 2), said accumulators preferably being downwardly inclined in an outward direction so that the bellows delivered thereto from the conveyors 393, 364 and 395 will be easily displaced downwardly and outwardly for ready removal. The conveyors are preferably disposed in the horiv zontal plane of the table so that a downward movement of the gripping mechanism will deposit the bellows on the convey-ors by the' same amount of movement as occurs in the upward movement of said gripping mechanism in lifting the-bellows ofic of the weighing disks 35.

The admission of pressure fluid as compressed air to the cylinder 83 of the weighing head is preferably controlled automatically so as to occur only7 after the bellows 39 has elevated the spindle 'H from the position shown in Fig. 1l to the position shown in Fig. l2. Such automatic control of the admission of compressed air may be effected in any suitable way. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3, the shaft 51 also carries a cam 3i l cooperatively associated with the operating member 9l2 of a three-way valve so that at proper times in the cycle of operation of the machine cam 34| will operate valve 312 to admit compressed air to the cylinder 83 of the weighing head, or exhaust the same to atmosphere. When pressure is released in cylinder 83 plunger 18 is raised as viewed in Fig. 1l by the tension of spring 92, lifting the collet member 68 to free the gripping elements 19 so that head may follow the bellow-s 39 downwardly as disk 35 is lowered until the -collar 12 on spindle 1| engages the end of the gripping elements 19 and holds the head 12 in its suspended position as shown in Fig. l1.-

The switches |68 with their associated adjusting and visible indicating elements are preferably disposed in a separate control box as shown in Fig. 1 wherein the control box 3|5 has mounted on its panel the adjusting elements |95 of the two switches and, in association with each, the corresponding visual indicating element at |94. Said control box may also be provided with any other suitable indicating means as shown at 3|6, and pressure gauges may be disposed on the top member 3| of the housing I3, as shown at 3|8 and 3|9, for the purpose of indicating visually the pressure of the uid at desired points in the system. Suitable pressure regulators, surge tanks, etc., may be associated with each or both of fluid pressure lines leading to the cylinder 83 and the chamber |29 so that substantially constant pressure of predetermined value may be delivered thereto.

As the operation of the several component parts of the machine has been described in connection with the construction thereof, it will be sufficient to summarize the operati-on. The operator stands at the front oll the machine and merely places a bellows on each weighing disk 35, centrally disposed with respect to the axis thereof, as said disks pass through their inactive positions. Assuming that the circuit through the motor 29 is closed by operating the switch 39, the motor 29, through the belt 28 and pulley 25, drives the speed reducing mechanism from which the shafts 24 and 59 are driven whereby, through the beveled gearing 22, 23 and 4B, 49, the stub shafts 29 and 41 are rotated to drive the Geneva mechanism |6, l1, i9, I9 and the several cams hereinbefore described. Said Geneva mechanism operates intermittently and at predetermined times to move the table I9 through a fraction of a rotation, and thereupon to lock said table against rotational displacement, the extent of movement depending upon the number of weighing disks employed. Thus where as illustrated six weighing disks are used, each indexing movement of the table |l is one of degrees rotation.

When each disk 35 is moved into that station which has been denominated the weighing station, cam 46 on shaft 41 effects the elevation of the arbor 42 to engage and pick up the weighing disk 35 which has reached that station. Elevation of disk 35 carries upwardly the bellows 39 thereon picking up the head '14 and sliding the spindle 1| inwardly with respect to the collet mechanism to the extent required by the free length of the bellows being measured. Thereupon cam 3|| operates the three-wayv valve SI2 to admit compressed air to the cylinder 83 of the weighing head, causing plunger 18 to move downwardly to rst cause tubular member 68 to grip the elements 19 and lock the same to the spindle 1|, after which transverse member 59 is moved downwardly by the plunger 18, against the tension of the springs 6|, until stop member 99 engages end member 58, the magnitude of this latter movement, determined by the spacing of stop member 99 from end member 58, exactly determining the weighing stroke or load.

The resistance of the bellows 39 to compression during this weighing stroke is reflected in the movement of the scale lever |99 about its axis |01, said movement being transmitted through the link to the scale lever I3 whereby the movement is magnied. Movement of scale lever ||3 advances the anvil member ||1 toward the aperture |4| by an amount which is exactly proportional to the resistance to compression of the belows 39. Thereby a back pressure is established in the chamber |28 which, on the one hand, is transmitted to the expansible and collapsible chamber |52 to act as a counterpoise, while, on the other hand, said back pressure is transmitted through the back pressure line |45 to the chambers |59. 1i the bellows is underweight the magnitude of the back pressure in chambers |59 is insulcient to operate either of the switches |68, and therefore the associated solenoids |19, which are placed in circuit by the synchronizing switch as the arbor 42 is elevated, do not move the index pins |96 and |91. If the weight of the bellows falls between the upper and lower permissible limits the back pressure in one of the chambers |59 is sufficient to close its associated switch .|68 and energize the corresponding solenoid which' will thrust outwardly the index pin |96, the other switchl and l.solenoid remaining inactive. If the bellows is overweight, the back pressure in the chambers |59 -is suicient to actuate both switches |68 so that Vboth solenoids are energized to thrust outwardly both stop pins |96 and |91.

The'timing of the Vmechanism -is such as to assure that the complete weighing operation is effected while the bellows Vis at the weighing station and, furthermore, to assure suiicient time to provide for the return of the weighing disk to -the turntable l0, the cam 46 effectingthe lowering ofthe arbor 42, which'opens the synchronizing switch |85, and thecam 3|| operating1the'three-way 'valve 3|2 to exhausttheV cylinder 83, which opens the collet mechanism and permits the head 14 to return to its original position. The weighing cycle having thus beencompleted with the parts restored to original position, but-with the indexpins |96 and |91properlyfpositioned with respect to the weight of the bellowswhich was measured, the table is indexed by its Geneva mechanism vto'advance the measured bellowsto the sorting station v'at which station it is operatively disposed with respect to the gripping members 212.

As the bellows so moves into the sortingsta-` tion the index pins |96, |91, by failing to actuate the lever '202 or by moving the 'same to .one or the `other of its two positions of displacement, effects through the connecting levers and linkage aimovement of the :slidable member '2|1' which predetermines which ofthe stops 222,' 226 and 221 Ashall be effective to determine the .extent'of movement of the sorting arm 240. When the bellows reaches the sorting station, cam 283 actuates crankarm 28| to Vmove crank 'arm 218 upwardly to rst actuate the bell crank Alever 253, 256 and thrust rod 258 in such a direction as to `move the gripping levers 268 and 269 around 'their pivots Aand bring their lgripping members into firm contact with thebellows Further movement of they crank arm 218 causes the hollow posti24| 4to slide upwardly `whereby the arm 240lifts the bellows out of'engagement with the-weighing 'disk 35. Cam 296 now actuates block 292,andthe latterthrough spring 294 actuates block '296, sliding the same until the depending lug 2,91 engages that one of the stops 222, 226, 221 `that has been made effective by the index pins. During this movement the block 29|J-through its pin |389` and the slotted arm 286 rotates the hollow post 24| to that position determined by the aforesaid stops wherein the bellows is immediately over the particular conveyor'which is 'determined by stop mechanism. The cam operated 'mechanisms Just referred to then operate reversely to effect the deposit of the bellows on the underlying conveyor,yafter which-the post 24| is-rotated in adirection to return'the clamping ,members to their proper position rfor cooperation withr the next bellows moved 'into the sorting station.

The vmachine can be readily setfor handling awide 4variety of lengths and sizes `of vbellows as` well as` for closely predetermining `various upper *and lower Alimits `for acceptable fbellows. By rotating-the screw |2| the tubular -member 98j may be `moved upwardly and downwardly on the column 99 so as to dispose the head-14 at varying distances above the table |0 from cooperating withv bellows of different lengths. Howevenonce the-machine is thus set to handle a particular length of bellows the weighing goes forward without respect to the usual tolerant variations in the -length ofthe bellows, because` the head 14 can. move the spindle 1| inwardly withrespect to the `collet mechanism to varying extents before the weighing action is initiated,`

so that no variable is introduced because of diffferent free lengths of the bellows being weighed.`

ing levers 268, 269, so as to space them at vari'-`A able distances, the latter can be broughtinto firm engagement with bellows of a wide variety of diameters vwithout danger of gripping them so tightly as to injure the relatively thin metalof which the walls are conventionally composed..

By placing weights von thescale pan ||9 respectively corresponding with the upper and lower. acceptable limits -of the bellows to be weighed the switches |68 can be exactly adjustedby their adjusting members so as to Vbe responsive to the back pressures thereby produced inthe chambers |59, the closure of the switches'I being ,disclosed by the visually indicating devices |94, and by using kdifferent weights on the scalepan the machine may therefore be accurately adjust-` edin'conformity `with different upper andlower limits as required-by different speciiicationsydif-l ferent sizes'of bellows, etc.

At ythe same time,by properly proportioninglthe ratio of the -lever arms of the anvil member: ||1- and the operating point of contact of counter-` poise bellows |52 with respect tothe axis H4 of lever-|Iv3the counterpoise action of bellows-I 52. may be nicely adjusted so as to exactly .predetere mine the sensitivity of response of the weighing mechanism to the resistance to compressionof the-bellows being weighed. Furthermore, "by accurately `adjusting the counterweights IUI, |02 the weighing head, together with its associated scale levers, can be exactly counterbalanced iso thatthe response of the weighing `head islanexactand accurate reiiection of the resistance to compression of the bellows being weighed.

It will therefore -be `perceived that'by the prese ent invention a sorting mechanism `hasbeeniprovided which entirely eliminates the humanfactor of error in separating acceptable elements, having a predetermined range of -elastic resistance to compression, from elements whose `resistancewis above or below the specied limits, and atffthe same-time vthe tediousness and jineffic'iencyifof earlier procedures for sorting such elements have been entirely overcome. As the sorting is entirely independent of the capacity of the workmanto correctly measure loads, deections, and theflike, the machine can be run by relatively unskilled workmen with assurance that the elementswill be properly sorted into their respective classes, the operator of the machine being required merely to place the elements in successionY onithe weighing disks with no greater"responsibility.

19 variety of mechanical expressions, as will now be apparent to-those skilled in the art, While changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of the component parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. While the invention has been exemplified by reference to its use as a means for sorting bellows, it will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to this use, as it may be readily adapted to the accurate sorting of a wide variety of elements whose characteristics may be from the broader aspects of the present invention.

Reference is therefore to be had to the appended claims for a definition of the invention.

What is claimed is: Y

1. In a machine for sorting elements according to different resistances to compression, in combination with a plurality of conveyors for feeding sorted elements out of the machine, indexing means for intermittently advancing elements to be sorted into a Weighing station and thereafter to a sorting station, element-transporting means at the sorting station for removing elements therefrom, stop mechanism associated with said lastV named -means for predetermining into alignment with which conveyor said transporting means shall move, a fluid pressure device at said Weighing station for applying a predetermined compression stroke to an element at said station, and uid pressure means responsive to variations in the resistance to compression of elements at the Weighing station for predeterminately setting said stop mechanism.

2. In a machine for sorting elements according to different resistances to compression, in combination with a plurality of conveyors for feeding sorted elements out of the machine, indexing means for intermittently advancing elements to be sorted intoa Weighing station and thereafter to a sorting station, element-transporting means at the sorting station for removing elements therefrom, stop mechanism associated with said last named means for predetermining into alignl ment with which conveyor said transporting means shall move, a fluid pressure device at said Weighing' station for applying a predetermined compression stroke to an element at said station, means'at said weighing station variably responsive' to variable degrees of compression of said elements, and uid pressure means for actuating said stop mechanism actuated by variable degrees of movement of said last named means in response to the varying resistances to compression of said elements.

3. In amachine for sorting elements according to different resistances to compression, in combination with a plurality of conveyors for feeding sorted elements out of the machine, indexing means for intermittently advancingV elements to be sorted into a weighing station and thereafter to a sorting station, element-transporting means at the sorting station for removing'elements therefrom, stop mechanism associated with said last named means for predetermining into alignmentvwith which conveyor said transporting means shall move, a fluid pressure device at said weighing station for applying a predetermined compression stroke to an element at said station, means operatively associated with said pressure device and variably responsive to different degrees of compression of said elements, uid pressure means actuatedby said last named means for developing variable pressures therein, and means operated by said variable pressures for predeterminately setting said stop mechanism.

4. In a machine for sorting elements according to different resistances to compression, in combination With a plurality of conveyors for feeding sorted elements out of the machine, indexing means for intermittently advancing elements to be sorted into a weighingA station and thereafter to a sorting station, element-transporting means at the sorting station for removing elements therefrom, stop mechanism associated with said last named lmeans for predetermining into alignment with which conveyor said transporting means shall move, a fluid pressure device at said weighing station for applying a predetermined compression stroke to an element at said station, means associated with said fluid pressure device and variably responsive to different degrees of resistance to compression of the elements at said station, uid pressure means actuated by said last named means for developing predetermined pressures proportional to the resistance to compression of the elements being measured, and means actuated by said last named fluid pressure means for vpredeterminately setting said stop mechanism.

5. In a machine for sorting elements according to dierent resistances to compression, in combination with a plurality of conveyors for feeding sorted elements out of the machine, indexing means for intermittently advancing elements to be sorted into a Weighing station and thereafter to a sorting station, element-transporting means at the sorting station for removing elements therefrom, stop mechanism associated with said last named means for predetermining into alignment With which conveyor said transporting means shall move, a fluid pressure device at said weighing station for applying a predetermined compression stroke to an element at said station, means associated with said fluid pressure device and movable responsively to the resistance to compression of' each element at said station, a uid pressure device associated with said resistance-responsive means, means operable by said resistance-responsive means for varying the pressure in said llast named fluid pressure device, and means operable rby variations in pressure in said last named device for predeterminately setting said stop mechanism.

6. In a machine for sorting'elements according to different resistances to compression, in combination with a plurality of conveyors for feeding sorted elements out of the machine, indexing means for intermittently advancing elements to be sorted into' a Weighing station and v'thereafter to a sortingstation, element-transporting means at the sorting station for removing elements therefrom, stop mechanism associated with said last namedmeans for predetermining into alignment with which conveyor said transporting meansv shallmove, a pressure responsive device at said weighing station for applying a predetermined compression stroke to an element at said station, means associated with said pressure responsive device and movable responsively to the resistance to compression of each ele- 

